blackford



(No Model.)

W. H. BLAOKPORD.

GOFFIN HANDLE.

No. 489,049. Patented Oct. 21, 1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFicE.

WILLIAM H. BLACKFORD, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE DETROIT CASKET COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

COFFlN-HANDLE.

- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,049, dated October 21, 1890.

Application filed May 5, 1890. Serial No. 350,635- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. BLACK- FORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Casket-Handles; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as y will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertainsto make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object a certain new and useful improvement in casket-handies; and it consists of the device hereinafter described and claimed, and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of a casket having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a separate enlarged View of myimproved handle, looking toward the under side of the ear. Fig. 3 is a vertical section.

As set forth in a previous patent granted to me November 29, 1887, No. 374,110, caskethandles heretofore made of metal have been very liable to tarnish by exposure, in consequence of which it has been customary to carefully protect them from exposure to the atmosphere until they were needed. Undertakers therefore have been under the necessity of applying the handles themselves, when required, their attachment demanding skill, labor, and time, which would be saved to them could they be so made as to be applied by the casket-manufacturer withoutthe danger of their becoming tarnished.

It is the object of my invention to overcome this difficulty, and at the same time provide simple and substantial means for securing the handle to the casket.

To this end my invention contemplates a simple, economical, and efficient construction wherein the entire handle shall be provided with a neat covering having no metal exposed and whereby all tarnishing will be obviated. Accordingly I carry out my invention as follows:

A represents a casket, and B a handle-bar, which I prefer to construct as shown and described in my above-mentioned patent-viz:

by winding about the bar a strip of cloth B in a spiral form. Over thespirally-wound fabric B, I wind another piece of suitable fabric B in such a manner as to cover the adjacent edges of the fabric B, hiding them from view and effecting a very tasteful and finished appearance.

C represents the bracket of my improved handle, which I construct with a metal ear C, covered with cloth or other suitable fabric 0 The ear may be of any desired form, preferably of ornamental shape. Thus, for example, as shown, it may be formed with external corrugations. The fabric C covers the entire outer surface of the ear, the edges of the fabric being preferably brought over the edges of the ear and so concealed when the ear is applied to the casket, which may be done in any suitable manner.

D represents a loop, whereby the handlebar is attached to the ear C. This loop I prefer to make of any suitable flexible material, as a canvas D, for instance, provided with a covering D of satin or other desired material, making an elegant appearance. The loop is preferably made of a fiat band, so constructed doubled, the intermediate portion of the band forming the loop to receive the handle. Through this loop the handlebar is engaged, as shown.

While I do not limit myself to theprecise method of attaching the loop to the ear here shown, I prefer to engage the extremities of the loop over a metal bar or pin E in any suitable manner. Thus, as shown, a rivet E may be clinched through the ends of the strip forming the loop. The inner face of the metal ear at the sides may be provided with open sockets c a, into which the ends of the pin E may be located. When applied to the casket, it is evident that the pin cannot get out of the sockets, and so the loop is held securely and firmly in place. The lower portion of the metal car may also be provided with an elongated slot at 0 through which the loop is extended. Above this slot the ear is extended forward, so as to carry the handle-bar away from the body of the casket, so as to give free room for the hand and prevent the knuckles striking the body when the casket is being carried. Since no part of the metal ear is ever exposed, it is obvious that it need not be plated at all nor constructed with a view thereto. It may accordingly consist simply of a rough casting. The ear and the loop and the handle-bar are thus all completely covered, presenting always an attractive appearance at a greatly-reduced cost. The entire handle being thus formed there is nothing to tarnish, and the same can therefore be applied to the casket by the manufacturer, so that the casket is always ready for inspection or use, as may be required. A covering being so employed for the entire handle, it is clear that any color of fabric may be employed to match the casket-covering.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. A casket-handle consisting of an ear covered with fabric and provided at its lower end with an elongated slot, a loop constructed of a flat flexible band doubled andol'lgagcd with said car through said slot, and a handle-bar extendinglengthwise of the casket and passed through said loop, said ear extended forward above said slot, substantially as set forth.

2. A casket-handle consisting of an ear provided with open sockets c c, an elongated slot at its lower end and covered with fabric, having in combination therewith a loop constructed of a flat flexible covered band doubled and united at its extremities and passed through said slot, a pin engaged in said loop and in said sockets, and a handle bar extending lengthwise of the casket and passed through said loop, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM H. BLACKFORD.

Witnesses:

N. S. WRIGHT, CHAS. F. SALOW. 

